Grants

Pell Grant

What is a Pell Grant?

Federal Pell Grants are grants or educational funding that does not have to be repaid after graduation. Federal Pell Grants are awarded through participating institutions to students with financial need who have not received their first bachelor's degree. Students may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time. Federal Pell Grant amounts are dependent on: the student's expected family contribution (EFC) (see below); the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution); the student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time); and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.

How do I know if Iím eligible?

Your eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is determined by the U.S. Department of Education using a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine the family EFC.

FAFSA Follow-up: If you provided your email address on the FAFSA, you'll receive an email link to your processed FAFSA information on the web. Otherwise, your Student Aid Report will arrive in the mail in 2-4 weeks. Corrections may be made using your PIN at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Respond Promptly to any additional request for information from the CSI Financial Aid Office.

Review Your Award Notification that will be sent to you by e-mail. The award notification will direct you to review your awards online through your NetPartner account. On NetPartner you will be able to review, modify, accept and decline the types and amounts of aid you are eligible to receive.

What you will need to complete the FAFSA...

CSI School Code: 001619

Your Social Security card and driver's license

If dependent, Social Security numbers and dates of birth for parent(s) providing income information on your FAFSA

W-2 Forms and records of money earned in the previous year

Previous year’s U.S. income tax return (IRS Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ or 1040 Telefile for you, your spouse (if married), and parents (if you are a dependent student)

Records of other untaxed income received in the previous year such as welfare, Social Security, TANF, TAFI, Child Support, or Veteran's Benefits

Current bank statements

Business and farm records

Records of stocks, bonds, CD's, and other investments

Your Alien Registration card, if you are not a U.S. Citizen

You/your parent's U.S. Dept. of Ed. PIN if filing online

You're considered independent if

You are 24 years of age or older OR

You are married when you apply OR

At the beginning of the upcoming school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program OR

You have children that receive more than half of their support from you OR

You have dependents other than your children or spouse that live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through the end of the upcoming school year

Both parents are deceased or if you are/were (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court OR

You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces OR

At any time since you turned age 13, both of your parents became deceased, you were in foster care or you were a dependent or ward of the court OR

You are an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence OR

You are in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence OR

At any time on or after 7/1/2008 your high school or district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless OR

At any time on or after 7/1/2008 the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless OR

At any time on or after 7/1/2008 the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or are at risk of being homeless

Obtaining your PIN

All students and parents of dependent students should request a PIN online at www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN remains the same from year to year, so keep it in a safe place and never give it to anyone. With your PIN, you and your parent can electronically sign your online FAFSA, making the application process simpler and faster.